Published: Monday, February 11, 2013 at 9:47 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 11, 2013 at 9:14 p.m.

A Deltona man tried to rob one motel and failed, but then struck a second inn and was able to take off with some cash, the Sheriff's Office said.

But he and two other men from Deltona were summarily arrested, said Volusia County sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught.

The suspect, Charles Johnson, entered the Hampton Inn near DeBary on Sunrise Boulevard first, Haught said. The front desk clerk told investigators that a man wearing a black leather jacket walked in, wrapped a white T-shirt around his face and demanded money as he pounded his fist on the desk.

Not seeing a weapon, the clerk said he decided to call 9-1-1 instead and the suspect took off, said sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson.

Then Johnson went to the Best Western Deltona Inn, Davidson said. A clerk at that hotel, 481 Deltona Blvd., didn't see a gun on Johnson either, Davidson said, but she handed $135 to to the suspect because she said she wasn't going to take any chances.

After the clerk gave the money to Johnson, the suspect thanked her and said, "Have a nice day," Davidson said.

A few minutes later though, an Orange City police officer spotted a car matching the one Johnson was riding in, Davidson said. The car was stopped at Holly and Graves avenues and when the officer approached, Johnson immediately confessed to the robbery and attempted robbery.

Johnson had already used most of the money to buy crack cocaine and only had $32 left.

Two other men in the white car -- Johnson's nephew Kyle Hilton, 20, and Lucas Contreras, 19 -- were aware of Johnson's plans, Davidson said.

The trio were charged with armed robbery, attempted robbery, assault and petty theft. All three were in custody Monday at the Volusia County Branch Jail.

<p>A Deltona man tried to rob one motel and failed, but then struck a second inn and was able to take off with some cash, the Sheriff's Office said.</p><p>But he and two other men from Deltona were summarily arrested, said Volusia County sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught.</p><p>The suspect, Charles Johnson, entered the Hampton Inn near DeBary on Sunrise Boulevard first, Haught said. The front desk clerk told investigators that a man wearing a black leather jacket walked in, wrapped a white T-shirt around his face and demanded money as he pounded his fist on the desk.</p><p>Not seeing a weapon, the clerk said he decided to call 9-1-1 instead and the suspect took off, said sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson.</p><p>Then Johnson went to the Best Western Deltona Inn, Davidson said. A clerk at that hotel, 481 Deltona Blvd., didn't see a gun on Johnson either, Davidson said, but she handed $135 to to the suspect because she said she wasn't going to take any chances.</p><p>After the clerk gave the money to Johnson, the suspect thanked her and said, "Have a nice day," Davidson said.</p><p>A few minutes later though, an Orange City police officer spotted a car matching the one Johnson was riding in, Davidson said. The car was stopped at Holly and Graves avenues and when the officer approached, Johnson immediately confessed to the robbery and attempted robbery. </p><p>Johnson had already used most of the money to buy crack cocaine and only had $32 left.</p><p>Two other men in the white car -- Johnson's nephew Kyle Hilton, 20, and Lucas Contreras, 19 -- were aware of Johnson's plans, Davidson said.</p><p>The trio were charged with armed robbery, attempted robbery, assault and petty theft. All three were in custody Monday at the Volusia County Branch Jail.</p>